Map of Central and South America and The Caribbean - click for larger view.
Guatemala in Focus by
Guatemala is the most "Indian" of Central American nations, and Mayan culture permeates many aspects of language, dress and artistic expression. "Guatemala in Focus" is an authoritative and up-to-date guide to this wonderful country. It explores the land, history and politics, economy, society and people, culture and includes tips on where to go and what to see. Photos and maps.
Costa Rica in Focus
This new series of country guides is designed for travellers and students who want to understand the wider picture and build up an overall knowledge of a country. Each In Focus guide is a lively and thought-provoking introduction to the country's people, politics and culture.The In Focus guides will brief you on: The history: Conquest, life as a colony, quest for independence and the building of a modern nation. How history can help explain today's society and politics.The people: Who lives where, how they live. The different worlds of the poor and the rich; blacks, Indians and whites; Arabs and Jews; indigenous, disenfranchised and dispossessed peoples; human rights.The culture: What to read, what to see, what to hear. Who's who in literature, music, dance, theater and cinema. Roots and rites of different religions. Folk traditions and indigenous cultural celebrations.The politics: Who runs the country, who wants to run the country. Power and conflict between political parties, the military, guerillas and grassroots organizations. Historical ties to the U.S.The economy: What the country produces and exports, how the economy has developed, the impact of foreign debt and free market reforms, who gains and who loses, presence and role of U.S. corporations.Where to go, what to see: Must-see landmarks, lists of monuments and historical sites as well as the author's expert tips on what to see and do to get the most out of a short trip to the country.Plus... -- Facts and figures -- Chronology -- Practical advice -- Nontourist travel -- Further reading -- Useful addresses -- Color and b&w photos -- Maps
Cuba - Culture Smart! by
Cuba is a land of contradictions that is easy to enjoy but difficult for first-time visitors to decipher. The largest island in the Caribbean, it is a tropical paradise that Christopher Columbus called "the most beautiful land that human eyes have ever seen." It is famous for the romantic charm of its crumbling colonial cities, the beauty of its white sand beaches, and its irresistible Afro-Cuban dance beats. But it is also a land of shortages and tight government control, which has been in a sixty-year political standoff with its superpower neighbor, the USA. The homegrown version of single-party socialism created by Fidel Castro has kept Cuba in a Cold War time warp that only now is beginning to change. As travel restrictions are relaxed US tourists can once again visit the island. Greater flexibility toward private enterprise is opening it up to boutique hotels and high-quality home-based restaurants. There is a boom in special-interest tourism for cyclists, hikers, birdwatchers, and scuba divers, while foreign entrepreneurs are eagerly exploring investment opportunities. Culture Smart! Cuba will take you beyond the usual descriptions of Havana nightlife, vintage cars, and hand-rolled cigars and give you an insider's view of an island that is teetering on the brink of historic change. It offers insights into Cuba's fascinating history, national icons, unique food, vibrant cultural scene, and world-renowned music. Practical tips help business travelers gain an edge on the competition. But most of all, this book aims to show you how best to break the ice and get a better understanding of the infinitely resourceful Cuban people, who despite severe hardships and shortages over many years remain optimistic and fiercely proud of their heritage and culture.
Dominican Republic in Focus by
This is a guide to one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic, which has much more to offer than its idyllic beaches. The site of the first European settlement in the Americas, the country has a long and often turbulent history, marked by dictators, foreign invasions and popular uprisings. For almost two centuries the country has shared the island of Hispaniola with Haiti, a proximity which had led to friction and occasional conflict. Despite efforts to abandon dependency on sugar and to modernize the economy, the Dominican Republic still faces considerable poverty and social tensions. Migration, legal and illegal, provides a lifeline to many poor communities. Yet this often difficult past and present have created one of the most distinctive and vibrant cultures in the Caribbean, where 16th-century colonial architecture contrasts with modern office blocks, and where Spanish, African and American influences are apparent in music, food and art.
Chile in Focus
Authoritative guide to this dynamic and tumultuous nation, exploring the land, people, history, economy, politics, culture and environment, with tips on where to go and what to see.
Ecuador in Focus
This new series of country guides is designed for travellers and students who want to understand the wider picture and build up an overall knowledge of a country. Each In Focus guide is a lively and thought-provoking introduction to the country's people, politics and culture.The In Focus guides will brief you on: The history: Conquest, life as a colony, quest for independence and the building of a modern nation. How history can help explain today's society and politics.The people: Who lives where, how they live. The different worlds of the poor and the rich; blacks, Indians and whites; Arabs and Jews; indigenous, disenfranchised and dispossessed peoples; human rights.The culture: What to read, what to see, what to hear. Who's who in literature, music, dance, theater and cinema. Roots and rites of different religions. Folk traditions and indigenous cultural celebrations.The politics: Who runs the country, who wants to run the country. Power and conflict between political parties, the military, guerillas and grassroots organizations. Historical ties to the U.S.The economy: What the country produces and exports, how the economy has developed, the impact of foreign debt and free market reforms, who gains and who loses, presence and role of U.S. corporations.Where to go, what to see: Must-see landmarks, lists of monuments and historical sites as well as the author's expert tips on what to see and do to get the most out of a short trip to the country.Plus... -- Facts and figures -- Chronology -- Practical advice -- Nontourist travel -- Further reading -- Useful addresses -- Color and b&w photos -- Maps
Brazil by
Brazil is a land of global superlatives, boasting the best soccer, the largest rainforest and the world's worst social and economic inequity. Its vibrant culture is best known for carnival and samba and attracts thousands of visitors every year. The carnival capital of Rio also showcases Brazil's contrasts, as the shanty towns of the dispossessed cling to spectacular mountainsides, overlooking the beach playgrounds of the rich.
Bolivia in Focus by
This land of colorful cultures and stunning landscapes offers the curious visitor and student an unending stream of extraordinary things. From a fantastic archeological record to llama fetuses in the Witch's Market, from the coca story to the hemisphere's first indigenous president, the history and cultures of Bolivia is an eye-opening experience.But behind its breathtaking scenery and welcoming culture lies a more complex country facing serious political instability and environmental threat. Bolivia in Focus helps the traveler who aspires to be well-informed to understand the wider picture and build up an overall knowledge of the country. It also gives the reader a thought-provoking introduction to the sources of tension in Bolivia, the poorest country in South America, and the people's struggle for social justice that has been missing since the arrival of colonialism five hundred years ago.Bolivia in Focus is an authoritative and up-to-date guide to this captivating country. It explores the land and people, history, economy, politics, society, culture and religion, and includes the author's tips on must-see landmarks and historical sites and how to get the most out of a brief visit.
Uruguay: a Country Study by
This volume is one in a continuing series of book prepared by the Federal Research Division of the Library of Congress under the Country Studies/Area Handbook Program sponsored by the Department of the Army. The last page of this book lists the other published studies.Most books in the series deal with a particular foreign country, describing and analyzing its political, economic, social, and national security systems and institution, and examining the interrelationships of those systems and the way they are shaped by cultural factors. Each study is written by a multidisciplinary team of social scientists. The authors seek to provide a basic understanding of the observed society, striving for a dynamic rather than a static portrayal. Particular attention is devoted to the people who make up the society, their origins, dominant beliefs and values, their common interests and the issues on which they are divided, the nature and extent of their involvement with national institutions, and their attitudes toward each other and toward their social system and political order.The books represent the analysis of the authors and should not be construed as an expression of an official United States government position, policy, or decision. The authors have sought to adhere to accepted standards of scholarly objectivity.
Eastern Caribbean in Focus
This new series of country guides is designed for travellers and students who want to understand the wider picture and build up an overall knowledge of a country. Each In Focus guide is a lively and thought-provoking introduction to the country's people, politics and culture. The In Focus guides will brief you on: The history: Conquest, life as a colony, quest for independence and the building of a modern nation. How history can help explain today's society and politics. The people: Who lives where, how they live. The different worlds of the poor and the rich; blacks, Indians and whites; Arabs and Jews; indigenous, disenfranchised and dispossessed peoples; human rights. The culture: What to read, what to see, what to hear. Who's who in literature, music, dance, theater and cinema. Roots and rites of different religions. Folk traditions and indigenous cultural celebrations. The politics: Who runs the country, who wants to run the country. Power and conflict between political parties, the military,,guerillas and grassroots organizations. Historical ties to the U.S. The economy: What the country produces and exports, how the economy has developed, the impact of foreign debt and free market reforms, who gains and who loses, presence and role of U.S. corporations. Where to go, what to see: Must-see landmarks, lists of monuments and historical sites as well as the author's expert tips on what to see and do to get the most out of a short trip to the country. Plus... -- Facts and figures -- Chronology -- Practical advice -- Nontourist travel -- Further reading -- Useful addresses -- Color and b&w photos -- Maps
Peru in Focus by
Peru is perhaps one of the most dramatic and unpredictable of all Latin American countries. Blessed with natural wealth and historical sites, it is also cursed by widespread poverty and a legacy of political violence. A gulf separates the westernized elites of Lima from the indigenous majority of the Andean highlands, creating intractable social and political problems. A mix of landscapes and cultures, Peru contains the splendours of Machu Picchu as well as the horrors of Lima's shanty towns. Ancient Indian culture exists alongside US-influenced modernity, while dramatic political events keeps the country in the headlines. The book is part of the "In Focus" series of books aimed at students and independent travellers.